01-48_Alive_March_v6.qxd 2/25/11 5:12 PM Page 33 www.cityemployeesclub.com March 2011 33 Comes Alive! by Hynda Rudd Tales From the City Archives City Archivist (Retired) and Club Member Tom LaBonge and the Hollywood Sign n City Councilman and Club Member Tom LaBonge fought to keep the L.A. icon in public hands. At the ceremony where the Hollywood sign area was saved from developers. Hefner of Playboy Enterprises to close the What has not been known by many of the and largest donors to this effort were Los Photos courtesy the Trust for Public Land. $12.5 million deal to save the Hollywood sign. citizens of this City is that as far back as 1978, Angeles philanthropist Aileen Getty and the At the press conference, it was revealed that the Hollywood sign, as it looks today, came Tiffany & Co. Foundation. “I thank Hugh n advertising billboard on Mt. Lee, in the parcel of land would be preserved and about because Hugh Hefner was the one to Hefner and Aileen Getty for their critical con- “Athe hills overlooking the film capital, annexed to Griffith Park. raise money to rebuild it. As a big fan of the tributions, along with everyone whose gener- [was] erected in 1923. The sign is 50 feet high, Tom LaBonge stated his thanks to the sign, Hefner came forward again in 2010 with ous spirit moved them to join the campaign to 450 feet long, weighs 480,000 pounds, and TPL, the Hollywood Sign Trust and the his $900,000 that brought forth the closing of save one of America’s most famous urban cost $21,000 to construct. It was designed to Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their this current dramatic Hollywood sign story. spaces,” said Michael J. Kowalski, chairman promote Harry Chandler’s real estate develop- assistance. He gave a special thanks to Gov. The fundraising campaign was launched and CEO of Tiffany Co. “The threat to its ment named Hollywoodland (the sign’s origi- Schwarzenegger “to a man, who, like me, over President’s Day weekend when the existence underscores the need for partner- nal wording)…. It was lit by 4,000 20-watt loves nature, loves people and provided great Hollywood sign was covered temporarily with ships like ours with TPL who can work togeth- bulbs…. The last four letters were removed by strength to bring us to this point.” a message “Save the Peak.” The two earliest er to protect our cultural assets for future gen- the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in 1945.” Pitt, Leonard and Dale. Los Angeles A to Z: An Encyclopedia of the City and County. 1997. Page 207. In February 2010, Councilman Tom LaBonge and officials from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced the launching of a $12.5 million fundraising campaign to pre- serve the view of the Hollywood sign, expand Griffith Park and save 138 precious, pristine acres from residential development. The TPL had an agreement to purchase the land from the owners for the $12.5 million due in mid April to prevent the building of luxury estates next to the sign. This new project became known as the “Save Cahuenga Peak.” Since 2001, Tom LaBonge had been work- ing on this project to acquire the land known as Cahuenga Peak, which was on the market for private residential development for $22 million. His intent was to maintain hiking and recreational areas for future generations of Angelenos. Tom enlisted the TPL to raise the money for the acquisition. The organization had until mid-April 2010, to purchase the land for $12.5 million under agreement with the owners. About half The group celebrating the saving of the Hollywood sign area included Jon Mukri, General Manager, Rec and Parks (far left); Councilman and Club Member Tom LaBonge (third of the funds were raised by various sources, from left); and Hugh Hefner (in hat, center). including the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, which donated $1 million. To raise public erations.” Ms. Getty, longtime Hollywood res- awareness for raising the remaining $6 million ident, said, “I’m proud to have supported of the asking price, the Hollywood sign was TPL’s efforts in conserving this magical place.” covered with the message ‘SAVE THE PEAK’ Hollywood leaders donated $3.2 million, for a weekend. including major donations from (to list a few) Jay Dean, Chief Marketing Officer of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and TPL, said at the time, “We are getting support Sciences, CBS Corporation, the Lucasfilm from the Hollywood community and from the Foundation, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Tiffany Foundation, but we need support Entertainment, Steven Spielberg, Twentieth from anyone who cares about the Hollywood Century Fox, Warner Bros., The Walt Disney or parks and open space. We only have two Company, and others. Some Hollywood indi- months to go.” Michael J. Kowalski, chairman viduals gave on their own: Tom Hanks and and CEO Tiffany & Co., in reference to the Rita Wilson, and Norman Lear. Many neigh- Hollywood sign, said: “[It] is an American borhood groups raised money to donate. icon that holds a unique place in the nation’s Others sold baked goods to donate money. collective imagination and the cultural history The involvement was incredible. of Los Angeles.” But the man who initiated and carried the In late April 2010, there was a press con- spirit from the onset onward was our very own ference held by TPL President Will Rogers, Tom LaBonge from the Fourth District. Chris Baumgart of the Hollywood Sign Thank you so very, very much for all your Trust, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and enthusiasm and hard work. Councilman Tom LaBonge. They announced that a $900,000 donation came in from Hugh A group that was instrumental in saving the Hollywood sign area..